A Survey of Nurses' Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses towards patients with dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery: A Prospective Multicentre Study

Abstract Objective To investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses towards patients with dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery and provide recommendations for management and intervention. Method A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 894 orthopaedic nurses from 36 tertiary hospitals in Chongqing using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included general information and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to the management of dysphagia after anterior cervical surgery. Results The total score of the questionnaire on dysphagia among orthopaedic nurses after anterior cervical spine surgery was 30 points, and the survey score was 16.1 ± 3.640 points. The total score of the attitude questionnaire was 40 points, and the survey score was 32.5 ± 4.623 points. The total score of the nursing behaviour questionnaire was 60 points, and the survey score was 43.6 ± 11.513 points. There was a statistically significant difference in the scores of dysphagia knowledge among orthopaedic nurses with different educational backgrounds and regarding whether they participated in training and whether they actively sought knowledge related to swallowing disorders (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the knowledge, belief, and behaviour scores of neurological nurses and swallowing disorders after stroke (P < 0.05). Conclusion Targeted knowledge and skills training should be carried out to improve the rules and regulations for dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery. Multidisciplinary team cooperation is needed, and dietary service processes and management standards should be improved to improve the management ability of orthopaedic nurses for dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery.